Whoever knows me in person, whoever has been reading this blog, knows I used to intensely dislike fish. In spite of my Mother’s best efforts, it wasn’t until I got to mesivta that I learned to tolerate gefilte fish on Shabbos eve. But, it never went beyond that! And yet in spite of that dislike, I’ve described – on these very pages – instances where I’ve eaten fish and… like them! One specific restaurant taught me to enjoy what I previously disliked…

Towards the end of May past, SYR and I found our way to Borough Park’s Avenue Plaza Dining (4626 13th Ave; Brooklyn, NY 1121; Telephone: 718.552.3222). The restaurant is located one floor below the Avenue Plaza Hotel‘s main lounge

One of the frescoes in the dining room of Avenue Plaza Dining

It’s a cozy, comfortable place; the dishes are unusual and delicious. Knowing full well that fish are not something everybody likes, Chezky Klein and his staff strive to have their creations look and taste very different from what one would expect. They are known throughout for what they do with fish, for what they do with pasta.

We started the meal with their most popular dish, “Buffalo Wings” Style Tilapia. Soft and tender on the inside, crispy on the outside, then smothered with lightly spicy sauce. Delectable!

SYR followed it with a Tilapia in Plum Sauce…

Tilapia in Plum Sauce

The grilled Tilapia was glazed with plum sauce. The plum got rid of any “fishy” taste! The result was a tender, fruity, but meat like taste.

I had their “Spare Rib” Style Fillet of Salmon…

"Spare Rib" Style Fillet of Salmon

It came grilled to perfection and had been basted in a delicious sauce that indeed made it taste like a very delicious “spare rib.” SYR and I, then split their Orange Scented Tilapia…